MULTIVALVES.^ LEPAS, 19 



generality of Lepades are affixed to other bodies or sub- 

 stances, by their own proper base, or lower part of their 

 shells; vvhereas, these are attached by a stalk, stem, or 

 pedicle, which proceeds from the base of the shell to the 

 substance which sustains it. 



This peculiar structure engenders the idea of comparing 

 them to the form of certain dwarf plants, as the crocus, 

 and others of the like description, to which, in appear- 

 ance, they bear considerable analogy. 



The stem which supports the shells often differs ex- 

 ceedingly in quality and substance; sometimes it appears 

 like a smooth, film-like tube, of a texture finer and thin- 

 ner than gold-beater's skin, though somewhat lighter co- 

 lored, and not unfrequently tinted with bright red or 

 orange; and often, it is of a dark or blueish-brown, much 

 coarser, and wrinkled or granulated with little warts. 



The Lepas anserifera and anatifera, are almost inva- 

 riably composed of five valves; they are supplied with 

 beautiful feathery tentacula of a brown color, and ele- 

 gantly curled: from this circumstance, probably, they 

 were supposed to be the origin of the Barnacle or Brent- 

 geese, and are, therefore, commonly known by the name 

 of goose-shells or duck-barnacles. The Lepas anserifera 

 is sometimes found in a fossil state. 



The Indian, American, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans, 

 alike provide a habitat for the species of this genus; and 

 no less than eleven of them are to be occasionally met 

 with on the British coasts. 



The Lepas, in all probability, derives its name from its 

 custom of adhering to the crags of rocks, and other pro- 

 jections in the sea. 



